Amman, Oct. 11 (Petra) -- Under the patronage and in the presence of HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, President of the Arab Thought Forum (ATF), the forum hosted a lecture on Sunday by renowned British historian and author William Dalrymple, titled "The Irresistible Rise of the East India Company: Contemporary Lessons in Dealing with Hyper-Powerful Corporations." The event, attended by HRH Princess Sarvath El Hassan and HRH Princess Rahma bint El Hassan, alongside several royal family members, former ministers, and prominent intellectual figures, examined the historical rise of the British East India Company and its transformation from a commercial enterprise into a dominant political and military power across vast parts of the Indian subcontinent. The session highlighted the interplay between economic interests and political authority, as well as the impact of mega-corporations on global balances of power.

The lecture addressed key historical lessons relevant to modern challenges, particularly the growing influence of multinational corporations, the dynamic between economic clout and governance institutions, and the vital role of regulatory frameworks in balancing corporate interests with the public good.

Dalrymple is among the world's leading historians on the Indian subcontinent and East-West historical relations. He is the author of *The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company* (2019), which chronicles the company's evolution into a colonial power and underscores the consequences when commercial entities wield political and military power far exceeding their traditional economic remit.

The lecture concluded with an open discussion on the historical and contemporary dimensions of corporate influence in modern global politics and economics.

//Petra// AF